Sedition charge on Lucknow University prof over Pahalgam post

LUCKNOW: Lucknow University teacher and satirist Madri Kakoti , whose online avatar Dr Medusa has 1,50,000 followers on X, was charged Monday with sedition and causing disharmony through a social media post on the April 22 attack in Pahalgam.

The allegedly seditious post includes a video in which Kakoti says that religious profiling before killing someone is terrorism, as is inquiring about religion before lynching, sacking people from jobs, denying tenants accommodation, & bulldozing homes, among other acts.

The FIR against Kakoti, asst professor in linguistics dept, is based on a complaint by ABVP member Jatin Shukla. Lucknow University issued Kakoti a show-cause notice after ABVP students staged a protest in campus.

When contacted by TOI, Kakoti said she was surprised by the outrage and charges levelled at her. "What I said is a fact, and 100% correct. There is nothing wrong in this statement. It is a general one, listing crimes which fall within the definition of causing 'terror'. I can't really take any responsibility for someone thinking it is about them," she said.

Protesters alleged the teacher's remark had been reposted by a Pak media handle, tarnishing India's and the university's reputation. They submitted a memorandum to vice-chancellor, demanding action against her.